Signalment
- Age: 6 years
- Sex: female spayed
- Breed: Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Species: dog
Disease Notes
- Certainty: confirmed
- Comments: 2 year history of chronic RF lameness that resolved, only to be replaced by disc prolapse at C1. Prolapse confirmed through radiographs, which showed the disc to be calcified.
Main signs and symptoms are rhythmic spasms of neck flexors that occur once daily for half an hour at a time; and waking screaming in pain at night from uncontrolled neck movements during sleep.
Metacam improves but does not resolve symptoms and causes small bowel diarrhea.
The pulse is toneless, full and superficial (i.e. Slippery). Wendy is panting and yelps with manipulation even at the base of the neck. Constant rhythmic spasms causing the head to Bob were observed throughout the appointment. The dog was panting and nervous, with her head held down - Final Status: resolved as of day 48 of treatment
Treatment and Outcome
Problem Notes
- Toneless Pulse: Superficial, indicating acute inflammation of the neck
Treatments
Notes:
An uncharacteristically fast resolution was observed, given that neck pain and spasm had existed for 2 months and inflammation was still acute
At present, the pulse is normal. There are no fixations following last week's chiropractic. The dog is now jumping on the bed for the first time in years and exhibits no inhibitions regarding neck movement in any plane.
Treatment included gentle chiropractic using an Activator over the entire neck. GV 3, GV at BL 17, GB 34, GB 20, GB 21 and GV 14 were all tonified
Diet is largely canned or kibble
Acupuncture points were stimulated
Manipulation or massage was performed
Notes: None submitted